7 In 10

 

79: Bergen-Belsen Arrival

79 years ago today (November 3, 1944) the Cattle Train from the Auschwitz-Birkenau Death Camp in German-Occupied Poland arrived near Bergen in Germany.

(Margot and Anne Frank before going into Hiding – 1941 – German-Occupied the Netherlands.)

A 4 mile march through woods and heathland waited the Prisoners before they arrived to the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp at Luneburger Heide.

On arrival in the Camp the Prisoners were given a piece of cloth with a new Camp number to be worn on their clothes. The numbers on their arms from Auschwitz no longer counted, because every Camp had its own Registration System.

Anne Frank (who was 14 years old) and Margot Frank (who was 18 years old) were sent to the Tent Camp, an area on flat ground with around fifteen tents. There was no lighting in this section of the Camp and the water supply was primitive.

”We saw two thin, bald figures that looked like freezing baby birds. We fell into each other’s arms and cried. It was Margot and Anne Frank /.../ the four of us went past the Barracks to the parade ground. We saw several big tents there. They looked like circus tents. We were assigned to one of them and lay down on the straw. We cuddle up with each other under our blankets.” Lien Brilleslijper.

Anne and Margot Frank had been in the Auschwitz Death Camp from September 3, 1944 (on the last Cattle Train from Westerbork in German-Occupied the Netherlands) until they left for Bergen-Belsen on October 30, 1944.

Anne Frank was briefly reunited with two Friends, Hanneli Goslar and Nanette Blitz, who were also confined in the Camp. Blitz had been moved from the Sternlager to the same section of the Camp as Anne on December 5, 1944, while Goslar had been held in the Sternlager since February 1944.

Both Goslar and Blitz survived the War.

Hannah Pick-Goslar moved to Israel in 1947 and died on October 22, 2022 at 93 years old.

Nanette Blitz Konig is still alive at 94 years old and has lived in Brazil since 1953.

Margot Frank died at the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp in February or Marcg 1945 from Typhus. She was buried in a Mass Grave. She was 18 or 19 years old.

Anne Frank died at the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp in February or March 1945 – a few days after her Sister, Margot, from a Typhus Epidemic that spread through the camp, killing 17,000 Prisoners. She was buried in a Mass Grave. She was 15 years old.

The British liberated Bergen-Belsen in April 1945 -  a month after their deaths.

Anne and Margot’s Mother, Edith, was left at the Auschwitz Death Camp when her Daughters were sent to Bergen-Belsen. Edith was Selected for the Gas Chamber, but ran away from the group Selected to die and stole the Registration Number of someone who had already died. She died on January 6, 1945 (3 weeks before Auschwitz was liberated and 10 days before her 45^th Birthday.)

She's Here

 

Holiday Baking Contests

I watched all the different Halloween Baking Contests: "Halloween Baking Championship," "Halloween Wars." "Halloween Cookie Challenge," "The Big Bake: Halloween," "Haunted Gingerbread Showdown" and "Halloween Cake-Off."

 Starting tonight I move to Christmas Baking Contests: "Christmas Cookie Challenge," "Holiday Baking Championship," "The Great British Baking Show: Holidays," "Holiday Gingerbread Showdown," "The Big Bake: Holidays," Christmas Cake-Off" and "Holiday Wars."

Before Thanksgiving

 

Meta Charging

From Yahoo:

“Meta to Charge Monthly Fees For Using Facebook and Instagram: What to Know”

Meta (META) announced today (Oct. 30) that it will charge Facebook and Instagram users in Europe a subscription fee for an ad-free experience starting in November. The subscriptions will cost €9.99 ($ 10.60) per month for web and €12.99 ($13.79) for mobile apps. Initially, one subscription will cover all accounts linked to its owner. But starting March 2024, users will have to pay an extra fee for each additional account, which will be €6 ($6.37) per month for web and €8 ($8.49) for mobile. The rollout came just days after Meta CFO Susan Li shared an update on the company’s European ad strategy.

Meta said it introduced the subscriptions to comply with European Union regulations. In May, The E.U. fined Meta $1.3 billion for violating its data privacy rules by transferring user data in Europe to servers in the U.S. Following a legal battle, the E.U. effectively barred the social platform from harvesting user data across its platforms for targeted ads without user consent.

To resume collecting user data, Meta said in August it would make changes to comply with Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation around consent issues. “We’ll continue to advocate for an ad-supported internet, even with our new subscription offering in the E.U., EEA [European Economic Area] and Switzerland. But we respect the spirit and purpose of these evolving European regulations, and are committed to complying with them,” Meta said.

During Meta’s third-quarter earnings call last week, Bank of America analyst Justin Post asked Meta executives about the company’s potential subscription offering and GDPR compliance issue in Europe. CFO Susan Li didn’t reveal much, but said the company was working on “a consent model” for ads in Europe. Even though Meta’s new subscription plan for Europe resulted from a legal battle, entirely subscriptions-based social platforms that used to be free may be something to keep an eye on.

X, formerly known as Twitter, is testing a $1 yearly fee for new users in the Philippines and New Zealand to access basic functions such as reposting, liking and replying to posts. X owner Elon Musk said this is the best way to get spam accounts and bots off the platform. In the past, Musk has floated the idea of making X a completely paywalled platform.

Meta reported an increase in ad revenue for the quarter ended September. Ad revenue rose 23 percent in the quarter from a year ago and showed strides since 2021. Li explained on the earnings call that the company is still cautious about what ad sales will look like going into the fourth quarter because of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

^ I don’t see people anywhere (Europe, etc.) paying for X, Facebook or Instagram. They will just move to a new free site. ^

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/meta-charge-monthly-fees-using-235743660.html

300,000

^ Russia has just surpassed having 300,000 of their Soldiers killed in Ukraine since their Invasion started the War on February 24, 2022.

This Number doesn’t include the Russian Soldiers wounded or the Russian Soldiers killed from 2014-2022 (in Crimea or Donbas.)

Russia is failing in Ukraine (among other places – Nagorno-Karabakh, Syria, etc.) and has resorted to Drafting even more 18-22 year olds twice a year than before 2022.

Russia has also resorted to Mobilizing any Russian Man from 23-75.

All of these Russians (Drafted or Mobilized) get 1-2 weeks of training on Soviet Guns and Weapons (since Russia is very low on Modern Weapons) before they are sent to Ukraine and used as Cannon Fodder.

When a Russian Soldier is killed in Ukraine the Russian Military often leaves them behind.

Their Families have to hire Private Contractors to go into a Warzone and bring their Loved Ones back so they can be buried.

Also, if any of their Family Members openly talks about their Loved Ones death they are sent to a Forced Labor Penal Colony (Russia’s Modern-Day Gulag) for up to 15 years.

These 300,000 Russian Soldiers are not dying in a heroic way, but helping Putin and his Nazi Zs carry-out their War Crimes (raping, torturing and murdering Innocent Men, Women and Children as well as Kidnapping Innocent Civilians including Children and sending them to Infiltration Camps inside Russia to have the “Ukrainian kicked-out of them.)

Here’s to Russia’s defeat in Ukraine. ^

What Would You Do?

Hamas and other Terrorist Groups have fired over 8,000+ missiles from Gaza into Israel since October 7, 2023 when they carried out their Terrorist Attacks on Innocent Foreign and Israeli Men, Women and Children inside Israel.

The Iron Dome has done a lot to shoot the ones headed towards populated areas down.

1.431 have died in Israel, 5,431 have been wounded in Israel and 245 Foreigners and Israelis have been taken Hostage by Hamas since October 7^th.

Any other country in the World would do much worse to any Terrorist Group that attacked their country and killed their citizens.

Israel has shown restraint and compassion while at the same time going after the Terrorists that attacked them and govern Gaza.

1930s Vs 2023

(The 8th Night of Chanukah at Rabbi Akiva Boruch Posner’s House across from the Local Nazi Headquarters in Kiel, Germany in the 1930s.)

First they came for the Women and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Woman.

Then they came for the Gays and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t Gay.

Then they came for the Interracial Couples and I didn’t speak out because I’m not in an Interracial Relationship.

Then they came for the Ukrainians and I didn’t speak out because I’m not Ukrainian.

Then they came for the Jews and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t Jewish.

Then they came for Me and there was no one left to speak out.

This may seem like it was 80+ years ago, but in reality Anti-Jewish Attacks are happening today around the World – in Germany, in the UK, in France, in Russia, in Egypt, in the Netherlands, in Colombia, in Poland, in Italy, in Canada, in the United States, etc.

The difference between the 1930s and 2023: in 2023 we know what happened in the 1930s-1940s (the Holocaust) and should know and do better.

1st Snow

We are getting the First Snow of the Season right now.

It should not be allowed to snow again until December 25th and then not again after that.

45 Days To Go

45 days until Wreaths Across America

On December 16, 2023 Wreaths Across America honors Veterans and Military Spouses at 3,400 Cemeteries across all 50 US States, DC, 5 US Territories and at the 26 American Battlefield Monument Cemeteries around the World with 2 Million wreaths.

https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

Dragging Deplaning

From the BBC:

“Air Canada accused of forcing man with cerebral palsy to drag himself off plane”

(Photo of Rodney Hodgins in Las Vegas)

Canadian officials have launched a probe after a man in a wheelchair said he was forced to drag himself out of an Air Canada plane because he was not offered assistance. Rodney and Deanna Hodgins, a Canadian couple, said the incident happened on a flight from Vancouver to Las Vegas in August. Ms Hodgins has accused the airline of failing her husband "in every sense". The BBC has reached out to Air Canada for comment.

Ms Hodgins detailed the incident in an interview with the BBC. She said her husband, who has spastic cerebral palsy and who uses a motorised wheelchair, was not offered any help by Air Canada crew to get off the plane. Usually, airlines provide an aisle chair to help passengers with limited mobility exit the plane safely, after all the other passengers have left. But Ms Hodgins said that no such assistance was offered, and that a crew member had told the couple that Mr Hodgins needed to get to the front of the plane by himself. "They made it very clear that they wanted us to get off the plane because they had to turn it around," Ms Hodgins said. "We thought it was a joke at first, but after we were flabbergasted," she said. She said that eight cleaning crew members, two flight attendants, and the captain and co-captain watched as she tried to help her husband exit the plane. "I was so mad at watching him fight to drag his uncooperative body so slowly and painfully," she said, adding that he suffered muscle spasms as he tried to make his way toward the cockpit.

"It took us struggling, in front of a dozen people, as some looked away and others looked on with shame, to get him off that plane," Ms Hodgins said. She added that her husband suffered for days from pain while they were in Las Vegas. The couple had travelled there to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. The incident has been covered widely in Canadian media, and Ms Hodgins said the airline has since apologised to the couple. "An apology is great and we do appreciate that," she said, but added that "Rodney really wants change, so it's not over for him, and it's certainly not over for us." "We just want to make sure that this really never happens again."

In a statement to the CBC, Air Canada said it uses a third-party wheelchair assistance specialist in Las Vegas. "Following our investigation into how this serious service lapse occurred, we will be evaluating other Mobility Assistance service partners in Las Vegas," the airline said. The Canadian Transportation Agency confirmed to the BBC that it is investigating the incident. It added that airlines are required to assist passengers with limited mobility, including when they are boarding or getting off an aircraft. Ms Hodgins said her husband's rights "were trampled on" in the aftermath of the incident. "Rodney is the most beautiful human on the planet, and did not deserve this at all." But she added she was grateful for the outpouring of support from fellow Canadians since their story became public.

Accessibility advocates have long called for better rules to ease travel for people who require wheelchairs or other assistance, including allowing them to sit on their own chair during the flight. Others have called out airlines for taking poor care of their wheelchairs, with some being damaged during travel.

According to data by the US Department of Transportation, airlines mishandled 871 wheelchairs and scooters, amounting to 1.6 for every 100, in the month of January, which is the most recent month data is available.

^ These kinds of horrible incidents are sadly becoming the norm for the Disabled  - because the Airlines and the Airports don’t seem to care about the Disabled.

I have travelled Domestically and Internationally with someone who used a wheelchair and while we were lucky to not have to have them crawl on the floor to deplane we have had lots of issues and long waits. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67279813

New Ambassador

From the BBC:

“Jack Lew confirmed as new US Ambassador to Israel”

(Jack Lew held a number of senior roles in the Obama and Clinton administrations)

The US Senate has confirmed former treasury secretary Jack Lew as the new US Ambassador to Israel. President Joe Biden nominated Mr Lew, an Orthodox Jew who held top posts in prior administrations, in September. The White House urged Congress to confirm him quickly after Hamas's attack, as "high-level diplomatic representation" is "critical". The Senate voted largely on party lines, with Democrats and two Republicans backing Mr Biden's choice. Mr Lew needed a simple majority in the 100-member Senate for his appointment to be confirmed.

Who is Jack Lew? Raised in an observant Jewish family in New York, Mr Lew, 68, has maintained a low profile in Washington, D.C., despite a career that boasts several important postings. Under Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, the longtime civil servant led the Office of Management and Budget, which oversees the president's budget requests. Mr Lew later served for a year as President Obama's White House chief of staff, one of the most influential cabinet positions. A budget expert, he was then appointed as treasury secretary in 2013 and served in that post until 2017. That appointment process was memorable for the criticism of his illegible loopy signature, as it would appear on American currency if he became secretary. He quickly adopted a more traditional sign-off. Mr Lew began his career in politics in 1973. He worked for eight years as the primary domestic adviser to House Speaker Tip O'Neill, an iconic and powerful Democrat.

Lew's view of Israel and Palestinians Mr Lew has previously spoken in support of a two-state solution. He openly criticised Israel and its conservative prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, while working under President Obama. He also defended the US's 2016 decision not to veto the UN Security Council condemnation of Israeli settlements on occupied land. During his recent nomination hearing, however, Lew said he has "worried deeply about the survival of the State of Israel" throughout his life. Growing up, he said, his family believed deeply in the creation and defence of a Jewish homeland. That background and Hamas's attack informed Mr Lew's view of the post's important responsibility, he said. "At this moment, there is no greater mission than to be asked to strengthen the ties between the United States and the State of Israel and to work toward peace in a region that has known so much war and destruction," he said in his opening statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Mr Lew said that as ambassador he would work "to end the horrific attacks by Hamas" and make sure Israel has all "it needs to defend itself". He said he would strive to help American captives return home. He also said he would do everything in his power to stop the conflict from expanding, aid innocent Palestinians trapped in Gaza, and stymie the influence of Iran, which he called "a threat to regional stability and to Israel's existence".

The hearing and Republican opposition Senate Democrats had stressed their desire to get Mr Lew into the ambassador's post, which was vacated in July, as quickly as possible. Republicans, however, expressed reservations and in some cases hostility to the appointment. Mr Lew sparred with Republicans during his hearing over his work on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal. The agreement, which included the UK, the US and several European countries, limited Tehran's nuclear programme. In return, Western countries and the UN agreed to eventually lift sanctions and unfreeze Iranian funds. Jim Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he had "reservations" over Mr Lew because of his involvement in the deal as President Obama's Treasury Secretary: "Holding hands with Iran under the table doesn't work for me." Republicans have long opposed the Iran Nuclear Deal, arguing it did not do enough to ensure Tehran would not develop a nuclear weapon and gave the government too much financial support. Donald Trump famously pulled the US out the agreement early in his administration. Other Senate Republicans claimed the deal had allowed Iran to fund groups like Hamas. A few also suggested Mr Lew had misled Congress when testifying about the agreement as secretary. Mr Lew disputed the claims, arguing that all Iran gained was access to "their money that we had frozen". Iran agreed to the terms but was unhappy with the outcome, he said.

^ It’s important for the United States to have an Ambassador in every Country we have an Embassy in. It is even more important now for the US and for Israel to have a US Ambassador at the US Embassy in Jerusalem. The US is working with Israel to punish Hamas for their Terrorist Attack that killed American Citizens and where American Hostages were taken. ^

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67211739

Equal Restrictions

From Reuters:

“Switzerland lifts extra restrictions against gay men giving blood”

(Nurse Agnes Besancon check on Gabriel Delabays during a blood donation on the first day gay men in the country could give blood after Switzerland lifted long-standing restrictions, at the transfusion center CRS in Epalinges near Lausanne, Switzerland, November 1, 2023.)

Gabriel Delabays sat calmly, his feet elevated on a reclining chair, as a nurse drew blood from his left arm at a Swiss transfusion centre on Wednesday, the first day gay men in the country could give blood without extra restrictions. Switzerland amended blood donation criteria for men who have sexual relations with other men, making ineligibility criteria the same for homosexuals and heterosexuals. "I'm moved that we made it, especially after such a long battle," said Delabays, a member of the communal council in the Lausanne suburb of Ecublens who represents the Swiss Liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP). "In some ways, I think this is a small page in a history book that says: On Nov. 1, 2023, Switzerland allowed homosexuals to donate their blood more easily."

Under Switzerland's new regulations, a four-month waiting period applies to all people after their last sexual encounter with a new partner - heterosexual or homosexual - or a 12-month waiting period if sexual contacts have taken place with more than two partners within the last four months. Until 2017, gay men were systematically barred from giving blood in Switzerland, a policy dating to the start of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. Since then, men sexually active with other men were allowed to donate blood only if 12 months had passed since their last homosexual encounter. "The main feeling we have is 'finally'. Finally we can take part in society in this way," said Gaé Colussi, regional officer for the French-speaking part of Switzerland at Pink Cross, which represents the interests of gay and bisexual men across the country.

Some other European countries, including Spain and Italy, have no restrictions preventing men who have sexual relations with men from giving blood. France removed additional restrictions on gay blood donors last year. Swiss Transfusion SRC, which secures the Switzerland's blood supply, submitted a request to medical authorities to revise the criteria based on a risk assessment of sexual behaviours, the epidemiological situation in Switzerland and data from countries that have already lifted restrictions. SwissMedic, the authority that licences and monitors therapeutic products, agreed to the changes. "The new ineligibility criteria define even more precisely that it is indeed risky behaviour, and not a given sexual orientation, that underpins ineligibility," SwissMedic said in a statement. "This is something we support." Donor Delabays pledged he would become a regular at the transfusion centre. "It's a really small gesture that can save someone," he said.

^ Giving Blood should have the same requirements whether you are Gay or Straight everywhere in the world. ^

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/switzerland-lifts-extra-restrictions-against-gay-men-giving-blood-2023-11-01/

Commandos In Israel

From Yahoo/NYT:

“American Commandos Are in Israel Helping to Locate Hostages, Pentagon Says”

(A demonstration outside the United Nations last week symbolizing the kidnapped hostages in Israel.)

American commandos on the ground in Israel are helping locate the more than 200 hostages seized during Hamas’ surprise cross-border attacks on Oct. 7, the Pentagon’s top special operations policy official said Tuesday. “We’re actively helping the Israelis to do a number of things,” Christopher Maier, an assistant secretary of defense, said at a special operations conference in Washington. He said a main task was to help Israel “identify hostages, including American hostages. It’s really our responsibility to do so.”

Maier declined to say how many U.S. Special Operations forces were currently in Israel. But other U.S. officials say the Defense Department has dispatched several dozen commandos in recent weeks, in addition to a small team that was in Israel on Oct. 7 conducting previously scheduled training. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters, said the commandos would join FBI, State Department and other U.S. government hostage-recovery specialists in their discussions with Israeli counterparts.

The U.S. Special Operations forces are not assigned any combatant roles in Israel, but they are talking through with their Israeli counterparts “what is going to be a very complex fight going forward” in the Gaza Strip, Maier said. In his discussions with his Israeli counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has stressed the need for careful consideration of how Israeli forces conduct a ground invasion of Gaza, where Hamas maintains an intricate network of tunnels under densely populated areas. “We will work with them as much as possible to help advise them on those types of activities,” Maier said.

Several Western countries have secretly moved small teams of their own special forces closer to Israel to help with any potential rescue operation and to be nearby to assist in any large-scale evacuations of their citizens from Israel or Lebanon.

Maier said U.S. Special Operations forces in the region are also poised “to help our own citizens get out of places and to help our embassies be secure.” US officials are intently focused on trying to secure the release of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza – among them American citizens – a task that sources said is now further complicated by Israel’s expansion of its ground operations into Gaza. The US remains a part of the ongoing talks that include Israel, Qatar, Egypt and Hamas to get a large group of hostages out of Gaza, and officials are now contending with Israel pressing forward with ground operations into the strip. Biden administration officials have been calling on Israel to consider so-called humanitarian pauses that can allow for civilians in Gaza, including hostages, to exit, and for aid to get in. Offering a glimpse into how unpredictable and fluid the situation remains, a senior US official told CNN on Monday that they believed the prospects of getting hostages out could be described as “50/50.”

The Israeli military says that 240 people are being held hostage by Hamas. Five hostages have been released so far. Israeli soldier Ori Megidish was freed during ground operations in Gaza on 29 October. Two women, Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifschitz, were freed on Monday 24 October. On Friday 20 October, two US hostages - a mother and daughter - were also freed. Hamas says it has hidden the hostages in "safe places and tunnels" within Gaza. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have previously said the hostages include 20 children and between 10 and 20 over-60s.

^ Every Country has to do whatever they can to get their Hostages back alive. ^

https://www.yahoo.com/news/american-commandos-israel-helping-locate-120149442.html

Not Yet

 

All Saints' Day

 

Holidays

2023 November Holidays - Daily Calendar National, World Days

November Holidays - Monthly Celebrations

Aviation History Month

Child Safety Protection Month

International Drum Month

National Adoption Awareness Month

National Caregivers Appreciation Month

National Diabetes Awareness Month

National Epilepsy Month

National Model Railroad Month

National Novel Writing Month

Native American Heritage Month

Peanut Butter Lovers Month

Real Jewelry Month

National Sleep Comfort Month

World Vegan Month

 

November Holidays - Weekly Events

Week 1 Chemistry Week

Week 3 Game and Puzzle Week

 

November 2023 Daily Holidays, Special and Wacky Days:

November 1

 All Saint’s Day

  Dios Los Muertos

National Author’s Day

World Vegan Day

November 2

All Soul’s Day

Deviled Egg Day

Look for Circles Day

Men Make Dinner Day

Plan Your Epitaph Day

November 3

Cliché Day

Housewife’s Day

Sandwich Day

November 4

Book Lovers Day

King Tut Day

Check Your Blood Pressure Day

National Bison Day

Pumpkin Destruction Day

Use Your Common Sense Day

November 5

Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 a.m.

Gunpowder Day

Guy Fawkes Day

November 6

Marooned without a Compass Day

National Nacho Day

Saxophone Day

November 7

Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day

International Merlot Day

U.S. General Election Day

 November 8

Cook Something Bold Day

Dunce Day

November 9

Chaos Never Dies Day

World Freedom Day

November 10

Forget-Me-Not Day

USMC Day

November 11

Veteran’s Day

World Origami Day

November 12

Chicken Soup for the Soul Day 

Hindu Diwali Day

National French Dip Day

World Pneumonia Day

November 13

Caregiver Appreciation Day

National Indian Pudding Day

Sadie Hawkins Day

World Kindness Day

November 14

National Pickle Day

Operating Room Nurse Day

World Diabetes Day

Young Readers Day

November 15

America Recycles Day

Clean Your Refrigerator Day

National Philanthropy Day

November 16

Button Day

Great American Smokeout 

Have a Party With Your Bear Day

International Tolerance Day

National Fast Food Day

November 17

Electronic Greeting Card Day

Homemade Bread Day

Take A Hike Day

World Peace Day

November 18

National Adoption Day

Occult Day

November 19

Have a Bad Day Day

Play Monopoly Day

November 20

Absurdity Day

Beautiful Day

Universal Children’s Day

November 22

Go For a Ride Day

Love Your Freckles Day

National Jukebox Day

National Tie One On Day

November 23

Eat a Cranberry Day 

National Cashew Day

National Espresso Day

Thanksgiving

November 24

All Our Uncles are Monkeys Day

Black Friday

Buy Nothing Day

Evolution Day

You’re Welcome Day

November 25

National Parfait Day

Small Business Saturday

November 26  Shopping Reminder Day 

November 27

Cyber Monday

Pins and Needles Day

November 28

French Toast Day

Make Your Own Head Day

Red Planet Day

 November 29

Chia Pet Day

Square Dance Day

November 30

National Mason Jar Day

Stay At Home Because You Are Well Day

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/november.htm

November

 

Reese's

 

Ukrainian Halloween

 

A Ukrainian Halloween!

Український Хеловін!

Happy Halloween!

 

Halloween Facts

62 Interesting Facts About Halloween

Halloween is now considered as a global holiday that is celebrated by millions around the world. Given this level of popularity, you might be wondering how it came about and what led to its development. In this article, we delve deeper into the origins and other interesting facts about Halloween.

1. Halloween happens every evening of the 31st of October. It marks the start of Allhallowtide, a series of Christian holidays meant to remember the dead such as loved ones, saints, and martyrs.

2. In several Hispanic countries, Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, takes place from 31 October to 2 November.

3. Current Halloween customs can be traced to the pagan traditions of ancient Celtics, particularly the festival called “Samhain” which means summer’s end. It is part of their preparation for the gloomy winter.

4. Celtics believed that the boundary with the Otherworld is weaker during Samhain, allowing spirits to pass through and walk among us. People left food offerings outside their homes to appease the spirits.

5. By the 1500s, the festival began to include costumes and house-to-house visits. Young people impersonated the spirits, recited verses, and sang songs in exchange for food. Households obliged to receive good fortune.

6. “Halloween” first appeared in Christian writings around 1745. It is a shortened form of the term Hallows evening, referring to the vigils and other activities the night before All Hallows Day (also called All Saints Day).

7. Most celebrations of saints and martyrs were held from spring to summer. In 837, Pope Gregory IV moved All Saints Day to November 1 which coincides with Samhain. This was a practical decision to decongest Rome from pilgrims during summers.

8. By the 1100s, the festivities included street parades with criers in black asking people to remember the dead. Homes baked soul cakes marked with a cross and gave these out in exchange for prayers. Shakespeare mentioned this souling tradition in his play “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”.

9. Although most people consider Halloween as major US holiday, it did not reach mainstream consciousness in North America until the 1800s. Mass immigration of Scottish and Irish people allowed their traditions to flourish here.

10. New York’s Greenwich Village Halloween Parade is the largest of its kind in the world. It features over 50,000 participants in costume. Millions of spectators turn up each year to cheer them on throughout Manhattan.

11. In the Middle Ages, Christians would carry carved out turnips turned into lanterns while going around homes for traditional souling. These lanterns are thought to symbolize the souls of the dead.

12. Fires, such as those burning from jack-o’-lanterns, were thought to prevent demons from haunting homes and guide wandering souls back to their families. People roaming during the night could also ward off evil spirits.

13. While Ireland and Scotland preferred turnips, US immigrants used native pumpkins instead. These were larger, softer, and easier to access. Pumpkin carving was a common harvest time tradition before being linked to Halloween.

14. The state of Illinois produces roughly 90 to 95% of the USA’s pumpkins – around 500 million pounds.

15. A popular Irish folktale explains the origin of the jack-o’-lantern. It is said to contain the soul of a person who was denied entry to both heaven and hell, condemning him to roam forever.

16. The most jack-o’-lanterns on display at one time was 30,581 on 19 October 2013 in Keene, New Hampshire.

17. The heaviest jack-o’-lantern in the world was carved from a massive pumpkin weighing 2,684 lbs (1,217.5 kg). This monstrous pumpkin was grown by Italian Stefano Cutrupi and the record was set on 6 November 2021.

18. Another enduring image of the holiday is the skull. This is a reminder of death and the fragility of life. In the Christian tradition, it is a reference to Golgotha where Jesus was crucified.

19. Trick-or-treating comes from the medieval practice of mumming in which costumed actors parade on the streets and perform in homes. Aside from Hallows Eve, they also did this on other feast days like Christmas, Shrove Tuesday, and Twelfth Night.

20. As for the term “trick or treat”, the first printed mention was in 1927 also in Canada. It was from the newspaper Blackie Herald based in Alberta.

21. The first recorded instance of “guising” in North America was in 1911. A regional Canadian newspaper from Kinston, Ontario published an article about children disguising in costume as they roam for food or coins around their neighbourhood.

22. The city of Bathurst in Canada banned teenagers over the age of 16 from trick-or- treating, and a citywide curfew for all residents of 8 p.m. is in place to ensure pranks and mischief was avoided. Those caught breaking the rules are fined $200.

23. Children were often seen in Halloween postcards from the early 1900s but they weren’t tricking or treating. The practice only became widespread in the US during the late 1930s.

24. In rural areas where homes are spread far apart, a safer alternative known as trunk-or- treating is often arranged. Kids can ask for treats from decorated cars filled with goodies in a church or school parking lot.

25. The earliest literary works on the subject comes from Scotland where poet John Mayne wrote about the pranks and the supernatural elements of the holiday back in 1780.

26. The Middle Ages was a difficult period for all, including churches that did not have resources to display saintly relics. They let their parishioners dress up as these saints and go around instead.

27. Putting on costumes for Halloween parties is an early 20th century development in North America. People poke fun at the things they fear including ghosts and monsters. Over time, options moved beyond the supernatural such as notable celebrities, fictional characters, and other themes.

28. From 1909, the Dennison Manufacturing Company produced Halloween costumes, decorations, and invitations, increasing the popularity of Halloween.

29. In 2022, roughly 69% of Americans dressed up for and participated in Halloween festivities.

30. Although it’s quite popular at Halloween, Silly String has been banned in Hollywood, and if you get caught using Silly String on Halloween, you can receive a $1,000 fine.

31. Master escape artist Harry Houdini died on Halloween of 1926 from a ruptured appendix, but many of the circumstances surrounding his demise remain mysterious to this day.

32. Pets are part of the family so they can’t be left behind. In 2018, Americans collectively spent roughly $480 million on Halloween costumes for their pets. It is a massive increase from the $200 million estimate back in 2010.

33. In Ireland, it was customary for unmarried women to gaze into a mirror at night during Halloween to see the face of their future husband. Sometimes a skull might appear to signify that the person will pass away before marriage.

34. Halloween bonfires were also used to determine mortality. After the fire dies, individuals will each place a ring of stones on the ashes. They believed mislaid stones foretold imminent death for the associated persons.

35. Another Irish Halloween tradition involves hiding small items in food and serving these randomly. Fortunes depend on the item obtained. A coin predicts wealth, a ring signifies marriage, and so on.

36. The first Halloween-themed attraction opened in 1915 in England. It was called the Orton and Spooner Ghost House, a steam-powered carnival fun house. It continues to be displayed as part of the Hollycombe Steam Collection.

37. In the US, the San Mateo Haunted House began its operation in 1957. This was soon followed by other major attractions that proved so popular that the haunted house became a cultural phenomenon.

38. In 1984, the fatal fire at the Haunted Castle in New Jersey led to tighter safety regulations, new building codes, and more inspections. Smaller venues could not handle the higher expenses so many of them folded. Bigger commercial attractions dominated.

39. The longest haunted house in the world is Dragon’s House of Horror, which is 7,183 feet (2,189.59 meters) long. This haunted house is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and earned this status in November 2015.

40. By the late 1980s, famous theme parks like Six Flags, Universal Studios, Disneyland, and Knott’s Berry Farm began to hold annual Halloween events that draw large crowds. The decorations, attractions, and live events are tweaked to align with the season. These contributed to the globalization of the holiday.

41. Rhode Island plays host to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular every year and has over 6,000 jack o’lanterns. It attracts around 140,000 visitors annually.

42. Halloween comes right after the annual apple harvest in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s no surprise that apple-based treats are popular during the holiday. These include candy apples in which the whole fruit is covered in sugar syrup and rolled in nuts.

43. Unfortunately, the practice of giving out candy apples faded due to nasty rumors of dangerous embedded items. The reality is that cases were extremely rare and usually traced to the children’s own parents according to research from the University of Delaware.

44. It is also common to bake or order a Halloween cake with a spooky design fit for the occasion. These usually come on black, white, and orange but other colors may be injected as well. They often feature jack-o’-lanterns, skulls, ghosts, cobwebs, bones, bats, and other well-known symbols of the holiday.

45. In some Christian denominations, people are encouraged to go on a fast or abstain from meat. This increases the demand for vegetarian dishes such as colcannon in Ireland. It can be described as a combination of mashed potato and kale or cabbage.

46. The annual Halloween expenditure in the United States was projected at $8 billion in Around $2.6 billion of that went into costumes. The average consumer will spend $92 for Halloween-related items.

47. In 2022, the money spent on Halloween candy in the US was a scary $3.1 billion – an all time high!

48. The survey conducted by the National Retail Federation also found that 148 million consumers planned to celebrate the holiday in 2020. Nearly half wanted to decorate their homes and carve pumpkins.

49. In 1958, the White House was decorated for Halloween for the first time. Mamie Eisenhower decorated the dining room and foyer with jack o’lanterns, flower arrangements, twinkle lights, owls, black cats, goblins, and witch heads.

50. On the 31st October 2013, Stephen Clarke of the USA carved a pumpkin in a world record-setting time of 16.47 seconds. This was his third time setting the record – he previously held the record at 54.72 and 24.03 seconds.

51. Pop culture has had a tremendous impact on Halloween over the years. Gothic novels and horror films have defined our modern monsters. The top adult costumes for 2020 were witch, vampire, ghost, cat, and Batman.

52. Horror and scary movies are especially popular around Halloween, and made over $700 million at the US box office in 2022.

53. The 1962 song “Monster Mash” was banned by the BBC in the UK because it was too morbid. However, when it was re-released in 1973, the Halloween favorite became a “graveyard smash hit”.

54. The 1978 classic horror film “Halloween” is well-known for the iconic face mask worn by Michael Myers. This famous mask was purchased for just $2 and spraypainted and reshaped to look super creepy.

55. Disney’s 1993 movie Hocus Pocus was originally going to be called Halloween House. It was meant to be scary rather than funny.

56. The 2017 movie “It” is the most successful horror film ever made. The Stephen King classic grossed over $700 million worldwide.

57. Halloween sales indicate the health of the retail sector heading into the holidays. Although Black Friday officially kicks off Christmas shopping season, about 39% of shopper actually start before November.

58. The three most popular treats given away by households include chocolate bars, chocolate candies, and chewy candies. Many will also hand out gums, corn candies, and salty snacks. Lucky children may even get toys.

59. Candy wasn’t the original fare of Halloween and trick-or-treaters used to get anything from coins, nuts, and fruit to toys and cake. In the 1950s, candy companies saw an opportunity to get into the market, starting the tradition of Halloween candy.

60. The popular confection “candy corn” was created by George Renninger in the 1880s and sold by Goelitz Confectionery Company (today it’s called the Jelly Bean Co.). It was originally called “chicken feed” and was sold in a box marked with a rooster.

61. Reese’s Cups are America’s favorite candy based on sales figures in 2022. Skittles, M&Ms, and Starbursts came in close behind Reese’s Cups.

62. Do you think that Candy is only a child’s affair? Over 86% of parents have stated that they have stolen their children’s Halloween candy. Plus, over 50% admit to stashing Halloween candy to indulge in later in the year.

https://thefactfile.org/halloween-facts/2/